"P.Q." ignores the pain in her back and neck when she has to carry her 4-year-old daughter. The girl has cerebral palsy and is learning to walk with braces.

Her mother was injured in an April 1999 car accident. P.Q. has exhausted her medical benefits and cannot afford treatment for her pain.

Her husband's full-time job barely pays enough to cover rent, utility and food for the family, which also includes a 6-year-old boy. The family receives no welfare assistance.

"Everything goes to paying bills and stuff our kids really need, so there's no extra money at the end of the month," P.Q. said.

She needs to replace the family's worn-out couch, the furniture most used in their two-bedroom apartment. "The stuffing is coming out," P.Q. said. "I have to put a sheet over it. It's our gathering place."

Our anonymous Santa generously has offered once again this year to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund. Checks made payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.

Monetary donations may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.